We cover the beginnings of learning styles to include the model developed by Anthony Gregorc, the Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Model, Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and Neil Fleming's VARK Learning Style Model.

The course also includes quizzes to help you assess your understanding of the material. After completing the course, you should be familiar with learning styles, the concept of multiple intelligences, and the basics of theories, such as constructivism. You should also be familiar with how to assess learning styles, and begin to address learning difficulties, plus have an understanding of issues involved in current research as it relates to learning styles.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY LEARNING STYLE

Simply
stated, learning styles are approaches and ways of learning. Not
everyone learns the same way. Some of us learn more easily through
seeing. Others learn more easily or primarily by listening. Yet others
learn more easily through moving, doing, and touching.

Visual learners

As
an example, a visual learner looks at the facial expression and body
language of the teacher to understand a lesson. This type of learner
will benefit from sitting at the front of the class. Plus, this student
tries to avoid visual obstructions, such as looking out a window. These
learners also often think in pictures and often take detailed notes.
They usually especially love handouts, flip charts, videos, overheads,
diagrams, and the illustrations in a textbook.

Auditory learners

Those
who are auditory learners learn most easily by listening and talking.
They like to take part in discussion and hear what others have to say.
They pay particular attention to the voice and its intonation, pitch,
and speed. Pictures often have less meaning than what these learners
hear. They like to use a recorder and read aloud.

Tactile learners

If
you are a tactile learner, you learn best by moving, touching, and
doing. You like a hands-on approach. You love the physical world. You
could have trouble sitting long. You can become distracted by your need
for activity and exploring.

We don't all learn the same way. Of
course, not everyone learns in just one way, but we do tend to favor a
learning style. We will look more closely at learning styles later in
this course.

OTHER LEARNING STYLES

Some of the other
learning styles – in addition to visual, auditory, and tactile -
include global learners, sensory learners, intuitive learners, verbal
learners, active learners, reflective learners, and sequential learners.
We will look in greater detail at these throughout this course.

LEARNING THEORIES

Let's
review that learning theories describe how a student processes and
retains information. This is related to learning style. Much goes into
how we learn, as we retain information and acquire new skills. Our
emotions, innate abilities, and environment influence our learning. Our
experiences and world view influence us, as well, in how we learn. Here
are some of the thoughts about learning.

Behaviorism looks at a system of rewards in education.

Cognitive theory looks at the learner and memory.

Constructivism looks at what a learner knows.

Multiple intelligences looks at various abilities.

Transformative learning looks at changing a world view.

We will examine these ideas throughout this course.

LEARNING STYLES AND TODAY'S ONLINE LEARNER

We
have seen that each of us has a style of learning that involves a
unique approach. As we look at non-traditional educational settings,
such as with online learning, let's see how learning styles fit in. An
online learner today, if they have a more introspective or introverted
learning style, can find it easy to communicate in an online or
computer-mediated environment. This could be in comparison to a
traditional face to face classroom. Those who like visual communication
could find visual elements easier to absorb in an online environment
than in a traditional one.

In addition, those who learn well
in a non-linear or non-systematic way could learn easily in an online
environment, where the instruction could be less systematic and less
hierarchical. A well-designed online course can meet the strengths of a
variety of learning styles. The use of multiple instructional strategies
is a best practice in an online and face-to-face class.

Those
who design online courses should keep in mind that the visual or verbal
learner learns best when reading information. The auditory learner
learns most easily when listening. The nonverbal and visual learner
learns well with graphics or pictures. The tactile learner does best
with hands-on experiences.

For visual and verbal learners

If
a learner is both visual and verbal, the learner does best with
teaching materials that include slides and a blackboard. They do well
with written materials, in contrast to pictures. An outline to follow
can help this learner. They do well with textbooks. An online classroom
can include information in writing, so this kind of learner can do well
with that type of information.

For nonverbal and visual learners

This
type of student learns most easily with picture and graphics. They
learn well from videos, maps, films, and other graphics. Images and
charts in textbooks, and not just written material, works well also for
this learner. This type of learner may be artistic and enjoy any
artistic parts of the learning experience. The online classroom can be a
good place for this type of learner.

For the auditory and verbal learner

When
information is presented orally, these learners do well, as they like
to listen to lectures and be part of group discussions. They also learn
well from audio recordings. Interacting with others in the classroom is
also helpful. Web conferencing in the online classroom can help this
kind of learner. The online environment that includes group
participation and collaboration will help this kind of learner.

For the tactile learner

Hands-on
activities help this kind of learner. For the online classroom, this
can include field trips or field work. It can also include classroom
demonstrations and simulations. Lab sessions can help, also. Some online
classrooms ask students to come to a physical location such as a lab
for some of their work. Online discussion about these experiences can
also help. An online dissection of a frog comes to mind as an activity
that could help this kind of student in an online biology class. Having a
student develop a presentation is another activity that could involve
the student in a physical way and help the student learn.

DETERMINING LEARNING STYLE

Here is an idea of a way students can determine their learning style as they pick from this type of list, which applies to them.

Prefers information presented with a visual aid [visual learner]

Prefers to listen to a lecture [auditory learner]

Likes to write things down [visual learner]

Likes physical models [tactile learner]

Prefers graphics and charts [visual learner]

Likes maps [visual learner]

Prefers listening, to reading a textbook [visual learner]

Likes to learn by reading from a textbook [verbal learner]

Prefers news from a newspaper [visual learner]

Prefers news from a radio broadcast [auditory learner]

Learns spelling words by reading aloud [auditory learner]

Learns spelling words by looking at them [visual learner]

This approach determines if a person is primarily an auditory, visual, or tactile learner.

The auditory learner can concentrate on tapes, and listening again to lecture notes, and reciting aloud.

The visual learner can concentrate on charts, maps, notes, and flashcards. Writing out materials frequently can help.

The tactile learner can benefit by writing down materials over and over, plus keeping lecture notes and study sheets.

Of course no one is usually just one kind of learner, so using all the approaches can often help.

This
course will also look at the basic differences in sensory and intuitive
learners, visual and verbal learners, active learners, reflective
learners, and sequential and global learners. In addition, we will look
at the many ways -- including questionnaires and tests you can take --
to see where you fit in, or how you can help someone figure it out.

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Course Lessons

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Lesson 1: Introduction

This course is not just for teachers, as the information about learning styles can relate to other aspects of everyday life: business, work, and family. 11 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video

Complete Assignment: An Introduction

Complete: Exam 1

Lesson 2: Beginnings of Theories

In this lesson, you will learn about individuals and groups that have approached this subject and how an interest in the learning styles began. 10 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video

Review Article: History of Learning Styles

Complete: Exam 2

Lesson 3: Constructivism

In this lesson, you will read about the history of constructivism and its role in a number of teaching strategies. 10 Total Points

Lesson 6: Assessing Learning Styles

In this lesson we look at the various tools, such as questionnaires, available to help students, teachers, counselors, and parents assess a learning style to help optimize learning and provide assistance with other activities. 10 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video

Review Article: The VARK Questionnaire

Complete: Exam 6

Lesson 7: Learning Difficulties and Disabilities

After reading this lesson, you'll understand what educators and researchers mean when they refer to a learning disability (LD). 11 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video

Review Article: Types of Learning Disabilities

Complete: Exam 7

Lesson 8: Active and Reflective Learners

After completing this lesson, you should be familiar with the two learning styles, qualities of active and reflective learners, and how best to help maximize learning experiences. 11 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video

Complete: Exam 8

Lesson 9: Global Learners

After completing this lesson you will know about the qualities of the global learner and how best someone with this style can learn. 10 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video

Complete: Exam 9

Lesson 10: Sensory and Intuitive Learners

After completing this lesson, you should be able to name qualities of these learners and tips that could help teacher them. 12 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video

Complete: Exam 10

Lesson 11: Sequential Learners

After completing this lesson, you will know the qualities of this kind of student and how best someone with this style can learn. 10 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video

Complete: Exam 11

Lesson 12: Visual and Verbal Learning Styles

You should now be familiar with qualities of these learners and what study tips can help them with learning. 10 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video

Complete: Exam 12

Lesson 13: Current Research

After completing this lesson, you will be familiar with several areas of research, including the use of computers and technologies in today's classrooms -- and how these can relate to learning styles. 10 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video

Complete: Exam 13

Lesson 14: Benefits of Studying Learning Styles

In this lesson, we will look at aspects related to the learner, teacher, parent, and others who can benefit from studying learning styles. 10 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video

Complete: Exam 14

Lesson 15: Conclusion and Review

You should be familiar with the diversity of styles, multiple intelligences, assessment tools, issues related to difficulties in learning, and current research in the field. 87 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video

Take Poll: What is your opinion of this course?

Take Survey: Course Comments

Complete: Exam 15

Complete: The Final Exam

234

Total Course Points

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Course Title:
Understanding Learning Styles

Course Number:
8900355

Languages:
English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries